Page 74 of Knightfall
I stepped out from my hiding spot. I lifted my arms and sent a blast of peace toward the scorpion-man.
The blast was so strong my wrists slit. My leg ripped open along an old scar. It burned like fire. But I bit down on my tongue and ignored it.
The scorpion man turned. He saw me and roared. He charged.
I tried to duck, but with my wounded leg I wasn’t fast enough.
He slammed me into the statue.
My vision went red. Flickered black. And I couldn't help it. My mind screamed,Quinn!
I sent another blast of peace into the monster's torso, my hands searching for his heart. I just needed one direct hit.
He landed one instead.
The side of my face smashed into the wall. My thoughts … started … to scatter.
No guards came running. Quinn wasn't here. Avia hadn’t fled her room. She was still in there. Whoever had sent this monster was going to try to get her. I had to stop them.
It was up to me. There was no one but me.
My hands shook as I reached up again. My fingertips touched the monster's rib cage. But before I could send another pulse of peace, he lifted me overhead to throw me.
I shoved my hands down in the general direction of his head. I grabbed fistfuls of his hair. I screamed as I shot out every bit of magic I had.
The skin on my arms shredded like potato peels. My stomach burned.
The monster set me down. He blinked several times and shook his head like he was dizzy.
I stumbled back. The cut in my leg was too deep. I couldn't run away.
I watched the monster closely.
I saw the exact moment that my peace magic lost its hold.
His eyes hardened. The scorpion tail arched behind him.
I scrambled backward. But I slipped in my own blood.
The scorpion man roared as he sent his tail barreling toward me.
I could see the poison glinting on the tip. The hooked barb pressed against the bodice of my gown.
And suddenly, it was gone.
I glanced up, confused.
A golden arrow pierced the monster's torso. As I watched, a second split his throat.
The scorpion man started to tip forward. I dragged myself sideways. But not fast enough.
The monster’s body came crashing down on my leg. Lightning bolts of pain shot up through my spine. I fell back against the marble floor.
Two arms grabbed me roughly under the armpits and yanked me free of the monster’s weight.
That’s when the monster disintegrated, leaving nothing but a pile of ash in his place.
Of course he did, after crushing my leg.
